Our biologist Prof. Eduardo Secchi, together with other scientists, has published an article on the feeding habits of the South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) and the sub-Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis). The study shows how the feeding habits of these two species have changed over the years and how the animals have partially switched their diet from fish to squid. This is probably due to the progressive overfishing of their prey by industrial fisheries. In addition, an increased intake of marine debris, especially flexible plastic material, by the animals was observed. The previous long-term study on which this article is based was supported by YAQU PACHA. For YAQU PACHA, scientific findings are the most important basis for the development of sustainable species conservation measures.
de Lima et al. (2023) Feeding habits of South American and sub-Antarctic fur seals